I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

And speaking of my company, we have insane security requirements. WTF is wrong with the TSA not encrypting this shiat? If they want to shake the stigma of the "illusion of security" for real security, this is a lousy way to go about it.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

I was part of the Clear program, it was nice, and then it went bankrupt.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

Those who will trade freedom for security will lose both, and deserve neither.

Because they are incompetent. I've watched dozens and dozens of poor workers who shouldn't even be in government service go to DHS and get promotions! The place is a joke across the government, a sinkhole of incompetence. We hire a fair number of people over the year, and the resumes fall into two groups: Those who are getting out because DHS is crap, and those who stopped by DHS to have a cup of coffee and get a raise.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

I'm part of it as well but did not need to go through all of that - I haven't paid anything and all I needed to do was sign up (no interviews or anything). It's been great going through security without having to do the whole rigamarole.

Diogenes:Walker: I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

And speaking of my company, we have insane security requirements. WTF is wrong with the TSA not encrypting this shiat? If they want to shake the stigma of the "illusion of security" for real security, this is a lousy way to go about it.

In Orlando? I wouldn't pay for it. The lines can get long, but they aren't terrible. Places like JFK/IAD/DFW? yeah. You have long concourses to get through without having to worry about security.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

Want to know the best part? If you have a current background investigation, even one at a much higher level than required for the program, they still do another for the DHS/TSA program. Good use of taxpayers money, no?

That's the VIPER team, I shadowed them one week. They were going to ports, train stations, bus stations, stadiums etc... But they weren't screening, they were there looking at security weak points and making sure the local security team was on top of it.

Completely different people than the people at a checkpoint or checked baggage screening area.

We see this level of incompetence all the time. Municipalities in general, and the feds in particular, still haven't figured out that bar coding something is not any more secure than changing the font to WingDings.

Groups that use mag-stripe ID cards are also particularly egregious offenders, but at least I can't print a new stripe on my $15 DeskJet.

Girion47:In Orlando? I wouldn't pay for it. The lines can get long, but they aren't terrible. Places like JFK/IAD/DFW? yeah. You have long concourses to get through without having to worry about security.

No, Orlando is pretty slick. You're right about that. It was always a pleasure to return home.

But when I was consulting all my contracts were in the DC area. So, Reagan National or Dulles. And my family is in NJ which means Newark. Never had much issue with Reagan. But this was all before 9/11. I stopped consulting and took a local assignment shortly before the attack.

MemeSlave:Walker: I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

Those who will trade freedom for security will lose both, and deserve neither.

Diogenes:Girion47: In Orlando? I wouldn't pay for it. The lines can get long, but they aren't terrible. Places like JFK/IAD/DFW? yeah. You have long concourses to get through without having to worry about security.

No, Orlando is pretty slick. You're right about that. It was always a pleasure to return home.

But when I was consulting all my contracts were in the DC area. So, Reagan National or Dulles. And my family is in NJ which means Newark. Never had much issue with Reagan. But this was all before 9/11. I stopped consulting and took a local assignment shortly before the attack.

ugh Newark, that was probably the shabbiest airport I've ever inspected. I was at the TSA offsite offices, surrounded by barb wire fences and still warned not to leave any small change in a cup holder because someone would bust the window to get to it.

Diogenes:I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

If you were still travelling 100% for business, there wouldn't be a tab to pick up. High level frequent fliers are automatically enrolled in Pre-Check. I use it all the time, never enrolled, no interviews, I just fly 100k miles a year.

Now that I think of it, the above is only true for people who fly AA or Delta, but it's still nice.

That's the VIPER team, I shadowed them one week. They were going to ports, train stations, bus stations, stadiums etc... But they weren't screening, they were there looking at security weak points and making sure the local security team was on top of it.

Completely different people than the people at a checkpoint or checked baggage screening area.

Avonmore:Diogenes: I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

If you were still travelling 100% for business, there wouldn't be a tab to pick up. High level frequent fliers are automatically enrolled in Pre-Check. I use it all the time, never enrolled, no interviews, I just fly 100k miles a year.

Now that I think of it, the above is only true for people who fly AA or Delta, but it's still nice.

Yeah, I'm not a "high level frequent flyer" so that's why I had to do it thru the Global Entry program, which costs money and you have to visit a US Customs office to be interviewed, have your picture taken, etc.

For those wondering how to enter the TSA Pre program you can get details here or just read this:

Q. How can someone sign up to participate?

A. Currently, only those passengers who opt-in will have the opportunity to volunteer to participate.

Participating airlines will permit some of their frequent flyers, based on TSA criteria, to opt-in through the airline's system. Participating airlines have contacted eligible frequent travelers with an invitation to opt-in. Once the passenger opts in, the airline identifies the individual as a participant when submitting the passenger reservation information to TSA's Secure Flight system.

Current members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS programs are already eligible to participate in the TSA Pre✓™ concept if they are flying on a participating airline at a participating airport. Those passengers need to place their PASS ID in the 'Known Traveler Number' field while booking their reservation. Interested passengers who are not eligible through their airline and are not already a member of a CBP Trusted Traveler program may still be able to opt-in to TSA Pre✓™ by applying for one of the CBP eligible programs.

Diogenes:This reminds me of the reports that our drone communications used to be unencrypted. The storage on the drones was encrypted, but the transmissions were hackable. I wonder if we ever corrected that.

Talk about a real security threat.

You're referring to the video feeds that were intercepted. Command and control is encrypted, the video feeds were not

LandOfChocolate:Diogenes: This reminds me of the reports that our drone communications used to be unencrypted. The storage on the drones was encrypted, but the transmissions were hackable. I wonder if we ever corrected that.

Talk about a real security threat.

You're referring to the video feeds that were intercepted. Command and control is encrypted, the video feeds were not

I used to think that the TSA would die out when they harrassed some powerful people. The early cases with Congressmen gave me hope, then they were exempted. Then pilots and flight staff were, then the rich, and the frequent fliers - and now even just the prepared paperwork types. All that leaves is the poor and the little people.

I now know two things: the TSA will never go away, and they are completely ineffective - as any terrorist with even moderate backing and time to prepare will easily exempt themselves from the worst of the TSA's security theater.

Avonmore:Diogenes: I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

If you were still travelling 100% for business, there wouldn't be a tab to pick up. High level frequent fliers are automatically enrolled in Pre-Check. I use it all the time, never enrolled, no interviews, I just fly 100k miles a year.

Now that I think of it, the above is only true for people who fly AA or Delta, but it's still nice.

This is how I got in. I don't tend to originate at airports that have the program live yet, Austin is supposed to be getting it next year. Did get to use it going out of LGA last week. SOOO nice to be treated like a passenger and not a suspect. Bag on conveyor, phone and watch in bag, and that's it. Through security in 30 seconds.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

Girion47:Diogenes: Walker: I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

And speaking of my company, we have insane security requirements. WTF is wrong with the TSA not encrypting this shiat? If they want to shake the stigma of the "illusion of security" for real security, this is a lousy way to go about it.

In Orlando? I wouldn't pay for it. The lines can get long, but they aren't terrible. Places like JFK/IAD/DFW? yeah. You have long concourses to get through without having to worry about security.

In my travel experience (about one trip every two weeks), DFW is one of the most efficient airports in the nation as far as security is concerned. Having security checkpoints every few gates is a really great thing. I don't ever recall waiting more than 5 minutes to clear.

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it.

American Express Platinum and Centurion cardmembers are entitled to have their enrollment fees refunded by Amex. So it is possible to get it for free - also some/most high tier frequent fliers get it from the airline.

Global Entry on its own is totally worth the money, even if you had to pay. I arrived at JFK a few months ago to Delta's disaster of a terminal 3. The passport control line was halfway back to the plane with probably 500-700 people waiting. I walked past all of them, used the kiosk, and cleared passport control in under two minutes. It's totally awesome and has the potential to save an hour or more on every use depending on where you fly into.

That said, I'd have to expect that there's some sort of database connection to other data about you. If the concern is DIY fast-tracking of yourself, well, something's not going to add up at some point during the process. Not that I expect thoroughness, prudence and (least of all) creative thinking from the TSA.

time I flew after 2001 was after a long road trip. It was when New York had that big blackout. Bad things always seem to happen when I'm on vacation: Big NYC blackout, Dan Weldon dies, etc. Anyway, we drove from Florida to Nevada on a 9 day road trip. I flew from Reno back to FL. My friend was staying out there for a few months and I was to fly back and go on a 7 day road trip back to FL, but we didn't know exactly when that would be, so I had a 1-way ticket from Reno to FL. When I picked up my ticket at the counter, they packet it in one of those boarding pass sleeves and put in a red ticket that stuck out. A big, bright red ticket. Obviously, it was to let the screeners know that I had to go through extra screening, which I did. But seriously, a big red ticket?? Did they give green ones to everyone else?? I didn't see any. Could I have just "lost" the big red ticket and been ok??

Walker:I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

So I just checked the website. I have to be invited to the program as a "frequent traveler" of certain airlines? In other words, get back in line you poor piece of shiat, this line is for the wealthy?

gutterman:So I just checked the website. I have to be invited to the program as a "frequent traveler" of certain airlines? In other words, get back in line you poor piece of shiat, this line is for the wealthy?

blackminded:Walker: I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

So I just checked the website. I have to be invited to the program as a "frequent traveler" of certain airlines? In other words, get back in line you poor piece of shiat, this line is for the wealthy?

/rats

Yup. I got my invitation ages ago and I turned it down because I don't support the TSA. This shiatbird does. He actively supports and encourages all of the messed up shiat they do, all of the useless, horrifying, invasive, abusive crap they engage in, and he's proud of it. Proud enough to pay money to support it.

gutterman:Avonmore: Diogenes: I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

If you were still travelling 100% for business, there wouldn't be a tab to pick up. High level frequent fliers are automatically enrolled in Pre-Check. I use it all the time, never enrolled, no interviews, I just fly 100k miles a year.

Now that I think of it, the above is only true for people who fly AA or Delta, but it's still nice.

This is how I got in. I don't tend to originate at airports that have the program live yet, Austin is supposed to be getting it next year. Did get to use it going out of LGA last week. SOOO nice to be treated like a passenger and not a suspect. Bag on conveyor, phone and watch in bag, and that's it. Through security in 30 seconds.

gutterman:gutterman: So I just checked the website. I have to be invited to the program as a "frequent traveler" of certain airlines? In other words, get back in line you poor piece of shiat, this line is for the wealthy?

/rats

So Frequent Flyer /= Wealthy, I wish it did, but it doesn't.

I did a lousy job on quoting the other Farker

Yeah I was a frequent flier when I was inspecting airports, might have worn a suit, but I got it at an outlet store and paying rent in NoVA ensured that I was far from wealthy.

blackminded:Walker: I'm in the "TSA-Pre" program. It was a pain to enroll in. I had to first enroll in the "Global Entry" program, get interviewed by Homeland Security, pay money, etc. but it was worth it. I used it for the first time last Saturday at Dulles Airport. There's a separate brand new screening area there. I got to keep everything in my backpack. There was no shoe removal, no jacket removal, no naked body scanners, no groping, I just walked right thru a metal detector and was on my way. It was like airport security in the 70's. No line either. I was the only one using it.

So I just checked the website. I have to be invited to the program as a "frequent traveler" of certain airlines? In other words, get back in line you poor piece of shiat, this line is for the wealthy?

/rats

Keep reading the site. I'm neither wealthy, nor a frequent flier, and was not invited to join. Just sign up for the Global Entry program. There's a $100 application fee and the Global Entry card is good for 5 years. Entry in that program gives you free entry to TSA Pre program. Be poor. Feel wealthy. Be treated like a SUPERSTAR.

willfullyobscure:gutterman: Avonmore: Diogenes: I wonder if I were still traveling 100% for business if my company would pick up the tab.

If you were still travelling 100% for business, there wouldn't be a tab to pick up. High level frequent fliers are automatically enrolled in Pre-Check. I use it all the time, never enrolled, no interviews, I just fly 100k miles a year.

Now that I think of it, the above is only true for people who fly AA or Delta, but it's still nice.

This is how I got in. I don't tend to originate at airports that have the program live yet, Austin is supposed to be getting it next year. Did get to use it going out of LGA last week. SOOO nice to be treated like a passenger and not a suspect. Bag on conveyor, phone and watch in bag, and that's it. Through security in 30 seconds.

And fark you too, you asshole.

Look, some of us have jobs that necessitate air travel. Just because we take advantage of easing the pain of air travel, doesn't make us assholes.